Barbarian

Genre

Fighting

Developer / Publisher

Palace Software (Europe), Epyx (North America)

Released

1987

Media

1 x

Rating

Graphics:

8.0

Sound:

9.0

Gameplay:

9.0

Overall:

9.0

Reviewed by

ndial

Barbarian was released for the Commodore 64 in 1987 by Palace Software, and later ported on numerous 8/16bit other systems in the following months. A totally addictive fighting game (especially when in two-player mode) with top notch graphics and great sound for its era!

Review

STORY / GAMEPLAYThe evil sorcerer Drax has taken Princess Mariana as hostage, but has agreed to let her go free if a warrior can defeat his guardians. And that's where your barbarian comes in. Barbarian (known as Death Sword in the USA) is a one-on-one sword fighting game. Each character (a sword-wielding barbarian) has six life blocks and can survive twelve blows before biting the dust. The action takes place against two backdrops: a forest clearing and a pit of death. Fight against the warriors of Drax and rescue Princess Mariana. The fighters' moves are impressive: they can slice and dice with the sword, chop away, duck, jump, roll, and then there's the lethal chop which takes the opponent's head clean off. The game also features a two-player mode, in which players fight their characters against each other. Not to be confused with "Barbarian", a MelbourneHouse/Psygnosis game from 1988!

GRAPHICS / SOUND Graphics are fine, and it is obvious that a great deal of care and attention has been taken over them. The Commodore colors are nice whilst sprites and backdrops move fast and smooth too. Sprites are nicely animated with several frames and a variety of moves with or without moving their sword! The (original) C64 version is certainly the best 8 bit version as far as the animation and action speed. Sound is nice, although no music offered during gameplay rather than a few catchy small tunes when battle starts and ends, but the sound effects are well matched to the game's atmosphere and are better in quality compared to the CPC and ZX ports.